adj., n., & v.
adj. 1 licentious; lewd; sexually promiscuous. 2 capricious; random; arbitrary; motiveless (wanton destruction; wanton wind). 3 luxuriant; unrestrained (wanton profusion). 4 archaic playful; sportive (a wanton child).
n. literary an immoral or licentious person, esp. a woman.
v.intr. literary 1 gambol; sport; move capriciously. 2 (foll. by with) behave licentiously. wantonly adv. wantonness n.
[ ME wantowen (wan- UN-(1) + towen f. OE togen past part. of teon discipline, rel. to TEAM) ]